Sandal with replaceable upper and method

ABSTRACT

A sandal  10  comprises a sandal upper  12  having one or more straps  14  for positioning over a user&#39;s foot, and a sandal sole  20  having a sandal ground engaging surface  22  and an opposing upper surface  24 . A plurality of releasable connectors  30  are each secured to an end of the one of the straps. Each connector is positionable within a cavity  24  within the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector to the sandal sole. In one embodiment, the sandal sole houses a connector base  40 , and the connector base includes a cavity  47  for receiving a portion of the connector therein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and incorporates herein U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/680,051 filed May 12, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the construction of sandals and, more particularly, to a sandal wherein a sandal upper having straps is removable from a sandal base or sole. Sandal uppers and sandal soles may be easily replaced by the user with other uppers and soles, thereby enhancing versatility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sandals have been a growing area of footwear for centuries. During the past decades, sandals have been increasingly considered a popular design accessory, so that a pair of sandals is selected by the user as a function of other clothing to be worn by the user, and the coordinated “look” of the sandals with those clothes. Sandals may, however, be expensive, with a medium priced pair of sandals selling from $10 to $30 USD. When styles change, previously purchased sandals become obsolete, and a new pair is conventionally purchased.

There are various problems associated with making sandals more versatile. Sandal uppers preferably should be attached to the sandal sole in a manner such that when the sandal is worn, the sandal upper straps do not readily appear to be removable. Also, the desired versatility of the sandal is of little value if the user experiences discomfort when wearing the sandals.

The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, and an improved sandal and method of constructing a sandal and replacing the sandal upper from the sandal sole is hereinafter disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a sandal includes the sandal upper having one or more straps for positioning over a user=3 s foot, and a sandal sole having a sandal ground engaging surface and an opposing foot sole engaging surface. A plurality of releasable connectors are each secured to an end of the one or more straps, and each is positionable within a cavity in the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector and the sandal sole, such that the plurality of releasable connectors and the sandal upper may subsequently be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors. A cavity within a sandal sole may house a connector base, with the connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of the connector therein when the connector is in an interconnected position.

According to one embodiment of the method of the invention, sandal uppers are releasably connected with a sandal sole by securing a plurality of releasable connectors to an end of one or more straps of the sandal upper, and positioning each releasable connector within a cavity within a sandal sole for interconnecting a connector within the sandal sole. The sandal upper and the connectors may thereafter be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors.

These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a sandal according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the sandal sole shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a releasable connector and a portion of a strap.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sandal sole and a connector base positioned within a cavity in the sandal sole prior to receiving a releasable connector.

FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a portion of the upper surface of the sandal sole with a slot for receiving a releasable connector.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the connector base.

FIG. 7 illustrates in cross-section connector and connector base with the connector base rotated to the interconnected position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a left-foot sandal according to the present invention, including a sandal upper with one or more straps 14 for positioning over a user's foot. FIG. 1 also depicts a sandal sole 20 with a ground engaging surface 22 as shown in FIG. 2, and an opposing foot sole engaging surface or upper surface 24 as shown in FIG. 1. The sandal sole may have a substantially uniform thickness between the ground engaging surface and the upper surface, and that thickness preferably is in a range from about ⅔″ to 1 ½″.

FIG. 3 illustrates a suitable connector 30 and a portion of a strap 14 threaded through a slot 32 in the upper portion of the connector 30, with the end of the strap 14 stitched or sewn back on the strap to secure the connector to the end of the strap. The upper body 34 of the connector may have a substantially rectilinear configuration with rounded edges. A spacer post 36 extends downward from the body 34, and a pair of catch members 38 extend outward from the post for interconnecting the connector to the connector base 40, as shown in FIG. 4. Each of the plurality of connectors 30 preferably has a central axis 37, and the catch members 38 extend laterally in opposing directions outward of a lower portion or post 36 of the connector. The connector 30 may be a monolithic molded plastic piece, with a relatively narrow width of less than about ¼″, a height of from ⅜ to ¾″, and a length less than about 1″.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a generally cylindrical cavity 28 within the sandal sole 20 for receiving the connector base 40 therein. Cylindrical cavity 26 is provided in the lower portion of the sandal sole, and is in communication with the substantially elongate slot 28 which extends through the upper surface 24 of the sandal sole, as shown in FIG. 5. The connector base 40 is a generally bowl-shaped member having a sleeve shaped side 45 and a closed bottom 42. Closed bottom 44 preferably includes an elongate slot 42 for receiving a screw driver, coin, or other device to facilitate rotation of the connector base with respect to the sandal sole, as explained subsequently. A top plate 46 is positioned adjacent the upper end of the connector base, and also has a slot 48 therein for receiving the catch members 38. Cavity 47 within the connector base thus receives a portion of the connector therein when the connector 30 is in an interconnected position.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the connector base 40 removed from the sandal sole, and illustrates a pair of opposing ribs 52 that each project radially inward from the sides of the connector base. Each of the ribs 52 thus fits within a respective slot in the top plate 46, thereby preventing rotation of the top plate with respect to the base. The connector base preferably is also a molded plastic component, and comprises the bowl-shaped body and the top plate 46. Each of the ribs 52 preferably extends downward from the lower surface of the top plate 46, and acts as a lock member to retain the catch member in the engaged position. The ribs 52 are thus sized to allow each catch member 38 to snugly pass by the ribs when the connector base is rotated, and once passed by, effectively lock the connector in the engaged position. During the unlocking process, the catch member is again compressed and passes by the ribs to move back to the release position. Various types of ribs or protrusions 52 may be used for this purpose.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a connector 30 positioned within the connector base 40 and the connector base rotated to the interconnected position. Rotation of the connector thus causes the plate 46 to slide over the catch members 38, thereby interconnecting the base and the connector. Friction between a side wall of the connector base and the sandal sole is sufficient to retain the connector base within the cavity in the sandal sole, although the connector base is easily rotated with a coin by the user. The catch members 38 may pass by ribs or other deformable projections which allow the catch members and thus the connector to effectively be locked in place.

The ends of the straps of the sandal uppers are thus each connected with a releasable connector 30, so that the connectors each interconnect a strap to the sandal sole. Each of a plurality of releasable connectors and the straps of the sandal upper may be easily disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper having another plurality of releasable connectors. Preferably a cavity within a sandal sole houses a connector base, with a connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of a connector therein when the connector is in interconnected position. The connector base may be rotatable with respect to a respective connector to connect and disconnect the connector from the sandal sole. In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of connector bases rotates with respect to a respective releasable connector from about 60° to about 90° between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

According to a method of the invention, sandal uppers including one or more straps are releasably interconnected with a sandal sole by securing a plurality of releasable connectors to an end of the one or more sandal upper straps. Each releasable connector is positioned within a cavity within a sandal sole for retaining the connector within the sandal sole. Thereafter, the sandal upper may be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors. This connection and interconnection may be easily accomplished by inserting a coin or other tool into the slot provided in the lower portion of the connector base, and rotating the connector base until the slot in the connector base becomes aligned with the radially outward extending catch members, thereby allowing the catch members in the connector to be lifted upward out of the slot in the top of the sandal sole. Each connector may thus be disconnected from the sandal sole, and another upper with connectors at the ends of the straps then reengaged with a respective connector base to secure the upper to the sandal sole.

The sandals as disclosed herein may utilize one forward generally central connector engaged with a strap which fits between the toes of the user, and a slightly rearward left-side and right-side connector which each interconnect with a strap which passes under the ankle of the user. In other embodiments, the straps may be otherwise configured, depending upon the design of the sandal. The sandal sole preferably is a foam-type material, and the uppers may be fabricated from cloth, plastic or leather.

A significant feature of the invention is that no portion of the connector extends upward from the upper surface of the sandal sole when in use, and no portion of the connector base extends downward from the ground engaging surface of the sandal sole. The connector thus does not interfere with use by the wearer. Moreover, no part of the connector need be visible when the sandal is worn, since the straps extend down into the respective slot in the upper surface of the sandal sole, so that it is not readily apparent that the straps are removable from the sandal sole.

For the embodiment disclosed herein, a plurality of releasable connectors and a plurality of connector bases are used to secure the sandal upper to the sandal sole, while allowing the sandal upper to be removed from the sandal sole. In other embodiments, it may be possible to eliminate the connector base. A relatively thick disc-like plate may be provided in the cavity in the sandal sole, with the disc-shaped plate having a slot therein for allowing the catch members of the connector to pass through the slot and then under the plate. The plate could be designed to be rotated with respect to the sandal sole, thereby connecting and disconnecting the connector in a manner similar to that discussed above. In another embodiment, the plate may be integral with the sandal sole, and the connector may be pressed downward with a sufficient force to pass under this plate, then the connector rotated, e.g., 10°, to move to an engaged and locked position. The connector may be subsequently rotated in an opposing direction to allow the connector to be released from the sandal sole. Slight rotation of the connector may be possible if the connector is thiner than the width of the slot in the sandal sole, or if the sandal sole material is sufficiently pliable to permit such rotation by the user

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of explaining the various aspects of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown and described is exemplary, and various other substitutions, alterations and modifications, including but not limited to those design alternatives specifically discussed herein, may be made in the practice of the invention without departing from its scope. 

1. A sandal, comprising: a sandal upper including one or more straps for positioning over a user's foot; a sandal sole having a sandal ground engaging surface and an opposing foot sole engaging surface;,and a plurality of releasable connectors each secured to an end of the one or more straps and positionable within a cavity within the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector to the sandal sole, such that the plurality of releasable connectors and the sandal upper may be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors.
 2. A sandal as defined in claim 1, wherein the cavity within the sandal sole houses a connector base, the connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of the connector therein when the connector is in an interconnected position.
 3. A sandal as defined in claim 2, wherein each connector base is rotatable with respect to the sandal sole to connect and disconnect the connector from the sandal sole.
 4. A sandal as defined in claim 2, further comprising: a slot in a lower surface of the connector base for facilitating rotating the connector with respect to a respective connector.
 5. A sandal as defined in claim 2, wherein each connector base includes a catch member for engaging a respective connector when the connector base is in the interconnected position, the catch member being rotatable from the interconnected position to a disengaged position.
 6. A sandal as defined in claim 5, further comprising: a lock member for retaining the catch member in the interconnected position.
 7. A sandal as defined in claim 6, wherein the lock member is a radially inward protrusion within the cavity in the connector base.
 8. A sandal as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of connector bases rotates with respect to a respective connector from about 60° to about 90° between the interconnected position and a disengaged position.
 9. A sandal as defined in claim 1, wherein each of a plurality of connectors has a central axis, and the catch member extends laterally in opposing directions outward of a lower portion of the connector.
 10. A sandal as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more straps are each secured to a respective one of the plurality of releasable connectors by stitching.
 11. A sandal as defined in claim 1, wherein the cavity in the sandal sole has a lower generally cylindrical portion for receiving the connector base therein, and an upper generally slot-shaped portion in communication with the generally cylindrical portion for receiving the connector therein.
 12. A sandal as defined in claim 1, wherein the connector has a through port for receiving a respective strap from the sandal upper therein.
 13. A sandal, comprising: a sandal upper including one or more straps for positioning over a user's foot; a sandal sole having a sandal ground engaging surface and an opposing foot sole engaging surface; a plurality of releasable connectors each secured to an end of the one or more straps and positionable within a cavity within the sandal sole for interconnecting the connector to the sandal sole, such that the plurality of releasable connectors and the sandal upper may be disconnected from the sandal sole and replaced with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors; the cavity within the sandal sole housing a connector base, the connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of the connector therein when the connector is in an interconnected position; and each connector base is rotatable with respect to a respective connector to connect and disconnect the connector from the sandal sole.
 14. A sandal as defined in claim 13, wherein each connector base includes a catch member for interconnecting a respective connector, the catch member being rotatable from the interconnected position to a disengaged position.
 15. A sandal as defined in claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of connector bases rotates with respect to a respective connector from about 60° to about 90° between the interconnected position and a disengaged position.
 16. A sandal as defined in claim 13, wherein each of a plurality of connectors has a central axis, and the catch member extends laterally in opposing directions outward of a lower portion of the connector.
 17. A method of releasable connecting a sandal upper including one or more straps for positioning over a user's foot with a sandal sole having a sandal ground engaging surface, the method comprising: securing each of a plurality of releasable connectors to a respective end of the one or more straps; positioning each releasable connector within a cavity within the sandal sole; and thereafter disconnecting the releasable connectors and sandal upper from the sandal sole and replacing the sandal upper with another sandal upper and another plurality of releasable connectors.
 18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the cavity within the sandal sole houses a connector base, the connector base including a cavity for receiving a portion of the connector therein when the connector is in an interconnected position.
 19. A method as defined in claim 17, further comprising: rotating each connector base with respect to a respective connector to connect and disconnect the connector from the connector base.
 20. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: providing a generally rectilinear through port in each connector for receiving a respective end of a strap of the sandal upper. 